UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira has bravely shared his personal story of battling a drinking problem, in hopes of inspiring others who may be struggling with similar challenges.
Pereira, known as “Poatan” in the octagon, revealed that his struggles with drinking began at a very young age. “Since I was 12 years old, I’ve always had a tendency to drink…” he said. “It was very difficult for me. Every year that passed, it was increasing.”
Despite the obstacles he faced, Pereira eventually made the courageous decision to confront his demons. “There was a time when I decided to stop,” he shared. However, Pereira acknowledged that the road to recovery was not an easy one, as he lacked access to the necessary support and resources in his community.
“Now, where I lived, I didn’t have the knowledge of medical help or a group of people like what is happening here,” Pereira explained. It wasn’t until he connected with his mentor, former UFC champion Glover Teixeira, that Pereira found the guidance and support he needed to overcome his drinking.
Teixeira, who was present during the interview, spoke about Pereira’s journey, saying, “So after four years with the battle, you know going back and forth with [his challenges], and after four years he’s finally got it.”
Pereira’s openness about his personal struggles is a testament to his resilience and a desire to help others who may be facing similar challenges. The UFC star recently visited young people in Connecticut who are also battling addiction, sharing his story and offering hope.
“It was very difficult for me,” Pereira acknowledged, but his willingness to speak openly about his experience is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Pereira converted to Islam back in 2015:
“In search for inner peace, contentment, and perfect character and after a close reading about Islam,” Pereira, the first kickboxing star in Latin America and Brazil and the sixth in the world, “has found his purpose”, Sheikh Taqi Al-Din told International Islamic News Agency (IINA).
“That’s when he decided to visit (FAMBRAS) Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil to learn more about the true message of Islam, its civilization and guidance to humanity”,
“(Pereira) stated that there was strength he sought for, namely psychological and spiritual strength, to fill the inner void that he had felt”, Taqi Al-Din pointed out.
It’s unclear if he’s still an active believer in Islam.
Pereira gets a lot of messages about overcoming his struggles:
“A lot of people go through this kind of problem and I get a lot of messages. They want to know how I did it. Today, I see the importance. I was a little afraid, a little ashamed to speak, but today I am proud to speak, because I can help many people,” Pereira said (h/t AG Fight).
“This is the least I can do for the affection I receive from these people. I spent four years training and drinking. I was Brazilian professional kickboxing champion drinking. It took four years of trying, but I managed. Those were difficult years. The story is long. I remember the longest I stayed was six months.”
“I wanted to be a controlled guy to get somewhere and be calm. I promised myself I would stop and I don’t drink anymore. I don’t see myself drinking anymore. I’m fine, it only brought me good things,” continued Pereira.
“When I drank, I was happy there, at that moment, but today I am happy all the time, I’m happy all the time. I don’t need to drink, because I know where I’m going, I know where I’m going. You have to have a direction.”
